Harvard Heart Letter articles from February 2008

Harvard Heart Letter archives from February 2008

Mini strokes are a maxi problem.(Disease/Disorder overview)
February 1, 2008... Treat a transient ischemic attack with the same urgency as chest pain. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), sometimes called mini strokes, were once written off as fleeting problems that posed little danger once they had passed. No longer a...

Sexy supplements can be bad for the heart.(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... One of the problems with so-called dietary supplements is that you don't always know what you're getting. That's the case for three "all natural" supplements peddled to improve sexual function a True Man Sexual Energy Nutrient Capsules, Energy...

Pedometer-powered walking.(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Interested in walking an extra mile a day? Get a pedometer and clip it to your belt. The silent tally of your daily steps may be all you need to take more of them. Exercise gurus have been promoting the use of pedometers for years. These...

Is this pain from my heart?(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Q. Every now and then I get a sudden, sharp pain on the left side of my chest. It feels like a penknife sticking into me. I get a little dizzy, and then it disappears as quickly as it came on. I have mentioned this to my internist and...

Could heart surgery have affected my lung?(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Q. Almost three years ago I had triple bypass surgery and mitral valve replacement. I did so having only one lung. It feels like the operation somehow harmed my lung, making it harder to breathe. Can heart surgery do this? A. As you have...

Is my blood pressure normal?(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Q. I'm a 75-year-old woman. The top number of my blood pressure is between 135 and 140, the bottom number around 75. My doctor says this is fine. Should I believe him? A. Your question is important. If more people knew their blood pressure...

Are all dark chocolates good for the heart?
February 1, 2008... Q. Dark chocolate is supposed to be good for the heart. But how do I know which chocolate is "dark"? Some labels list percent dark chocolate, others percent cocoa solids. Can you help me pick the best one? A. Chocolate makers are promoting...